Daniel 10:

Reading #413  The “thing”

The Spirit picks up Daniel’s story now about two years after Zerubbabel and Joshua and company had left to return to Jerusalem.  The altar had been set up there and regular prayers and worship were being offered to the God of Israel.  But Daniel had remained in Babylon, no doubt feeling rather helpless.  We are not told why he didn’t return, although he was probably too old to travel all that distance, and he could still be used to help the king and his companions.  But he became a blessing to us, for his distress over the situation of those who were to live in the “time of the end” made him eminently suitable to receive further instruction for us.  See 1 Peter 1:12.   

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Daniel 10:

1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia [about 534BC] a thing was revealed to Daniel [what thing?], whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing [the principle of history], and [then] had [a clear] understanding of the vision.  

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Lateral thought regarding the “thing”: (From my library)

If we would rightly divide the word of God, then we should be aware that “when passing over into the Christian era there is an automatic transition from literal to spiritual Babylon; from literal to spiritual Jerusalem; from the literal lands of Israel and Babylon to their spiritual antitypes”.

A simple rule of thumb is to realise that where the Son of God appears, as in the Old Testament, then the events and places are meant to be read as literal.  But where the Spirit is in charge then the same names and places have spiritual, or worldwide, meanings.  In other words, Jerusalem now refers to the Christian church, the earthly temple to the one in heaven, and the kings of the north and south etc. whom we are going to read about, once we move into the New Testament times have spiritual symbolism, not geographical, Except for a short period at the second coming, not until after the 1,000 years and Christ is literally back on earth (or coming to it) do we drop the symbolism completely. This works individually, as well as collectively, for God deals always with individuals.  For example, John 3:16; Revelation 22:17.  As circumcision of the flesh and the observance of the seventh day Sabbath distinguished the people of God in the Old Testament, so circumcision of the heart (the removal of the old nature) and the keeping of the Sabbath rest (ceasing from their own works) distinguish the people of God in the New Testament.  But the law is written in our hearts as well as in the church.  Hebrews 8:8-13.

When Daniel talked with Gabriel the purpose of prophecy was opened before him.  But the high honours granted him were the result of humiliation and earnest seeking, not favouritism.  All who believe the word of God with their heart will hunger and thirst for a knowledge of His will, and they will receive it without argument on their part.  (Matthew 5:6.) God is the author only of truth.  He will, through Christ,  enlighten our darkened understanding and give to our human mind power to grasp and comprehend the truths which He has revealed.  Ephesians 3:14-19.

We can’t say, as it was said by the prophet Daniel: “The time appointed was long”.  We are now living on this side of the time prophecy given to him, right in the “time of the end” (Daniel 8:17), and should be doing our work in preparing the way of the LORD.  Gabriel was to say later, “Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end”, and,  “But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased”, so the message of his book has been muted over the centuries, but now it is set out for us to fully comprehend. Daniel 12:9; 4.

We read that “he understood the thing” – now it’s time we did too. We can “run to and fro” in the Bible as he did, “here a little, there a little”; we too can listen to the Spirit of God, and have our knowledge increased till we see the purpose of prophecy as clearly as it can be known.  Because the time appointed was long, Daniel had spent a lot of his time in praying for permission to help those who would live through it and after it, which is why he was the beloved of the LORD.  Although for a large part of his life he had been a very busy man, he had always found time to do this.  Now he was retired and able to delve even deeper into the mysteries of the future. In like manner, we should desire to throw aside our narrow, selfish plans, remembering that we have a work of the largest magnitude and highest importance.  In doing this work we are to share the first, second, and third angel's messages of Revelation 14, as well as the everlasting gospel, and thus help others prepare for the coming of that other “angel from heaven” who is to “lighten the earth with his glory”. See Revelation 18:1.

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Daniel 10:

2 In those days I Daniel was mourning [for the future people of God] three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread [cake etc.], neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

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Daniel mentions the three “full” weeks because he does not want us to confuse this time with prophetic time.  As we will see later, the length was actually determined by a work that Gabriel was engaged in.  During that period Daniel ate an even simpler vegetarian diet than normal, and spent no time on unnecessary rituals, deeming it more important to learn the truth than enjoy himself.  This preparation enabled his mind to be clearer to the Son of God’s messages. With what earnestness, then, should we change our diet to suit our desire and seek God that He may be able to open our understanding to comprehend the truths brought to us from heaven.

In answer to his petition, we shall see that Daniel received not only the light and truth which he and his people most needed, but a view of the great events of the future, even to the advent of the world's Redeemer, and past it to the end of the world.

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Daniel 10:

4 And in the twenty-fourth day of the first month [the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread finished on the 22nd], as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; 5 then I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold a certain Man clothed in [white] linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz [a golden belt]: 6 His body also was like the beryl, and His face as the appearance of lightning, and His eyes as lamps of fire, and His arms and His feet like in colour to polished brass [sun-tanned], and the voice of His words like the voice of a multitude.

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This description is similar to that given by John when Christ was revealed to him upon the Isle of Patmos.  (Revelation 1:12-15.)  No less a person than the Son of God appeared to Daniel, but He came with another heavenly messenger to teach Daniel what would take place in the latter days, using literal terms to explain the spiritual.

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Daniel 10:

7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

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This type of experience happened also to the apostle Paul.  Acts 22:6-9.  His companions were overcome, for only those who are in a certain condition can stand the presence of the LORD, or hear His voice, which is why He is reluctant to approach most of us too closely. 

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Daniel 10:

8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of His words: and when I heard the voice of His words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. 10 And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 And he [Gabriel] said to me, “O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright: for to you am I now sent”.  And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.  

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All who are truly sanctified will have a similar experience at the presence of the LORD, even if not as intense.  The clearer our views of the greatness, glory, and perfection of Christ, the more vividly will we see our own weakness and imperfection.  We will have no disposition to claim a sinless character; that which has appeared right and OK in ourselves will, in contrast with Christ's purity and glory, appear only as unworthy and corruptible.  It is when we are separated from God, when we have very indistinct views of Christ, that we can say, or think, “I am sinless; I am sanctified”.

At first Daniel could only rise up on his hands and knees, but at Gabriel’s words he was given strength by the Spirit to stand upright.

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Daniel 10:

12 Then said he to me, “Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I am come for your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days [three full weeks]: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia [and finished my task]”.

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Here the veil over men’s affairs is drawn aside a little and we can see that messengers from heaven are constantly at work in the background, keeping this world from plunging totally into the chaos Satan would like to happen. John the revelator saw some of them at work in one of his visions.  “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree”. Revelation 7:1.

Lateral thought:

Many are so concerned with world events that they forget that God is prepared for all that might eventuate.  In every generation men have thought that the end of the world was near because of the wickedness so easily apparent. But human nature has not changed, and the world will continue to lurch from crisis to crisis without falling apart.  No matter what we see in world events, it has already happened many times before.  “Is there any thing whereof it may be said, ‘See, this is new?’ It has been already of old time, which was before us”.  Ecclesiastes 1:10.

Always the trouble and strife have subsided and a new cycle started.  Not until we have done our allotted work will the end come, for Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come”.  Matthew 24:14.  The world will NOT “run out of time”, although we might personally!    

Four mighty angels are represented as holding back the powers of this earth till the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads.  (Revelation 7:3.) Although the leaders of the nations of the world are eager for conflict, they are held in check by these and other angels, and we need not concern ourselves with world events, for they cannot pass certain boundaries.  They will come and go, but the Son of God’s purposes will remain.  The restraining power will not be completely removed until God’s people have “finish[ed] the transgression and make [made] an end of sins”, and then there will come a time of trouble and anguish “such as never was since there was a nation”.  Daniel 12:1.  See Matthew 24:6-13.  All who have not the spirit of truth will then unite under the leadership of satanic agencies to plunge the world into its last days. 

Right now God’s loyal angels are constantly travelling the world, refusing Satan his claims to supremacy, made because of the vast multitude of his followers.  We don’t hear the voices, we don’t see with our natural sight the work of these angels, but their hands are linked about the world, and with sleepless vigilance they are keeping the armies of Satan at bay till our sealing is accomplished.  We just need to believe.  Consider 2 Kings 6:15-17.

In the meantime, back to our story:

Gabriel had been in the palace with king Cyrus during the three weeks, trying to show him how to rule wisely and well, and possibly how to help Daniel in his distress, which would explain why he could not come sooner.  To speed the matter up, Michael (whose name means by interpretation, “He who is like God”), the Son of God Himself, came to assist Gabriel.  Thus we can see why, sometimes, the answer to our prayers may be delayed.  God trusts us to have patience while He is organising things.

Gabriel continued:

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Daniel 10:

14 “Now I am come to make you understand what shall befall your people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days”.

15 And when he had spoken such words to me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb [he fainted with renewed shock]. 16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to him that stood before me, “O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord?”  For as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, 19 and said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be to you, be strong, yea, be strong”.  And when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak; for you have strengthened me”.

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When Gabriel referred to the matter of the treading down of the host, Daniel’s emotions again affected him and he collapsed once more.  But Gabriel’s care and sympathy helped Daniel to recover his composure and become ready to accept more detail of the events of the future.

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Daniel 10:

20 Then said he, “Know you wherefore I come to you? [Do you understand why you need to know the future?  It is so that we can appreciate what God is waiting for us to desire to do.] 

“And now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Greece shall come. 21 But [first] I will show you that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holds with me in these things, but Michael your Prince”.

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Gabriel’s work of persuasion with Cyrus had been helped by the Son of God, but that was only temporary, and he would have to go back and continue it alone, so that all the events of the future might unroll as they should.  After commenting on the fact that the people of Europe would soon be coming on the scene of action, Gabriel began to lay out for Daniel in great detail the events of the future, but we will have to leave that till next week.

How did Gabriel know what was going to happen?  He is a creature like ourselves and had to learn it. He told Daniel that he studied the “scripture of truth” which would include our Bible.  At that time, it was comprised of the five books of Moses, Joshua, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and some of the minor prophets, plus the Psalms.  The history books, Chronicles and Kings, had not been written.  However, to have such detailed information as he was going to share with us, he must have had access to another source as well.  The Son of God knows the future because He is God, but Gabriel says of Him that He also proved things from the same “scripture”.  So here we learn that the people of the universe are like us, searching the scriptures for information.  God tells us beforehand, but we have to learn how to read His sayings. See Isaiah 42:8-9; John 13:19.

See you next week,

Ron

P. S.  It is not the plan of God to compel us to yield our wicked unbelief.   Before us are light and darkness, truth and error.  It is for us to decide which to accept.  The human mind is endowed with power to discriminate between right and wrong.  God designs that none of us shall decide from impulse or emotion alone, but from weight of evidence, carefully comparing scripture with scripture.

Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library.   No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly.  All the ideas expressed in these readings, right or wrong, are my own.

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Ephesians 3:

14 For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, 

15 of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 and to know the love of Christ, which passes [human] knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fulness of God.  Back

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Revelation 18:

1  And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird” [it is filled with spiritism].  Back

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Listen to the words of Jesus:

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Matthew 24:

6 And [in the last days] you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers [different] places [but the angels will take care of those problems].  

8 All these are [only] the beginning of sorrows.  

9 Then shall they [Satan’s agents] deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of ALL nations for My name's sake. 10 And then shall many [in the church] be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets [teachers] shall rise, and shall deceive many [it is religious trouble and false teachers that we should prepare for].

12 And because iniquity shall abound [in the church], the love of many shall wax cold [and they will leave us because they are following a church or a man, not the Lamb]. 13 But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.  Back

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2 Kings 6:

15 And when the servant of the man of God [Elisha] was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host [the Syrian army] compassed the city both with horses and chariots [the latest weapons of war].  And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master!  How shall we do?” 16 And he answered, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them”.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray you, open his eyes, that he may see”.  And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha [angels in their strength and glory depicted also with the most modern weapons,  Psalm 34:7].

[I suggest you read the rest of the story for it illustrates how God works.]  Back

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